Bismarck and Lone Star Force Game 3
by Justice Covert
Photos from Jeff Lawler
Bismarck 3 @ Rochester 2 (Robertson Cup Semifinals Tied 1-1) - The number one-seeded Bismarck Bobcats survived elimination, beating the Rochester Jr Americans 3-2 in game two, setting the stage for a win-or-go-home game three on Sunday. After being stifled to one goal in game one, the Bobcats bounced back to put up three goals in 31 shots, scoring in two of four power plays. Similar to game one, the two teams remained scoreless entering intermission. The difference this time, though, was that the Bobcats were the ones coming back out of the locker rooms looking to light the lantern. In a three-on-two fastbreak, Bismarck forward Evan Hunter sent a missile from the right wing to the net, but the shot was saved. A skating in Louie Kamienski was there to rebound the loose puck and slap it in for his third goal this postseason. The Jr Americans would soon get into some foul trouble. Rochester defenseman Demitiri Diflorio was called for hooking, and Hunter scored in the proceeding power play for his first goal of the playoffs to make it 2-0. Later on in the period, Rochester forward Owen King cut the deficit in half. Bismarck's Zane Rowan was called for tripping, and King scored in the following power play, recording his second goal this postseason after hacking in the puck from down below the net. The second period wasn't nearly finished, as two more goals were scored for each team, respectively. Another penalty called on Diflorio, this time interference, opened the door for another power play goal by Bismarck's Tommy Cronin. Then Rochester's Adam Gionta slapped in a 10-foot goal during a power play caused by a boarding penalty called on Kyle Doll to bring the game within one. That's where the scoring ended. The Jr Americans had ten shots on goal in the third period, but Bismarck goalie Tomas Anderson didn't waiver, holding on to force a Game 3
Lone Star 6 @ Wisconsin 3 (Robertson Cup Semifinals Tied 1-1) - After getting shutout for the first time in months, the Lone Star Brahmas exploded for six goals to force a game three, beating the Wisconsin Windigo in game two 6-3. The Brahmas couldn't get anything going against Wisconsin goalie Beau Altman in game one. Altman entered this series having only allowed one goal a game this postseason and has recorded two shutouts, including the game one victory. However, Saturday was a different story. Lone Star forward Christian Venticinque recorded two goals in the win, his first coming within the game's opening minute of regulation off of an early faceoff. Venticinque now leads the team in goals this postseason with six. Lone Star forward also had himself a multi-goal game, scoring his first two playoff goals in the win. Two other skaters, Maddox Tulacro and Charlie Masek, lit the lantern in the win as well for the Brahmas. The five goals scored against Altman — one was scored on an empty net— were the most he's allowed in one game all season, and it has effectively flipped the script entering the win-or-go-home contest on Sunday.
